Planning practice guidance will, where necessary, be updated in due course to reflect changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (the new version of which was published in July 2018). Where any hyperlinks direct users to the previous National Planning Policy Framework (2012), please disregard these. If you’d like an email alert when changes are made to planning guidance please subscribe.

What are the time periods for determining a planning application?

Once a planning application has been validated, the local planning authority should make a decision on the proposal as quickly as possible, and in any event within the statutory time limit unless a longer period is agreed in writing with the applicant.

Where a planning application takes longer than the statutory period to decide, and an extended period has not been agreed with the applicant, the government’s policy is that the decision should be made within 26 weeks at most in order to comply with the ‘planning guarantee’.

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What is the government’s ‘planning guarantee’?

The planning guarantee is the government’s policy that no application should spend more than a year with decision-makers, including any appeal. In practice this means that planning applications should be decided in no more than 26 weeks, allowing a similar period for any appeal. The planning guarantee does not replace the statutory time limits for determining planning applications.

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In what ways can a longer time period be agreed?

Where it is clear at the outset that an extended period will be necessary to process an application, the local planning authority and the applicant should consider entering into a planning performance agreement before the application is submitted.

If a valid application is already being considered and it becomes clear that more time than the statutory period is genuinely required, then the local planning authority should ask the applicant to consider an agreed extension of time. Any such agreement must be in writing and set out the timescale within which a decision is expected.

The timetable set out in a planning performance agreement or extension of time may be varied by agreement in writing between the applicant and the local planning authority.

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What happens if an application is not dealt with on time?

Where a valid application has not been determined within the relevant statutory period (or such other period as has been agreed in writing between the local planning authority and the applicant), the applicant has a right to appeal to the Secretary of State against non-determination.

If the applicant has not exercised this right of appeal, and the application remains undetermined after 26 weeks, then the fee paid by the applicant will be refunded to them (unless a longer period for the decision has been agreed).

Applicants should not attempt to delay a decision on their application simply to obtain a fee refund. A local planning authority will be justified in refusing permission where an applicant causes deliberate delay and has been unwilling to agree an extension of time; and such behaviour will be taken into account in determining any claim for costs by the local planning authority if the applicant then goes to appeal.

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What happens if a planning authority fails repeatedly to decide applications on time?

the speed of decisions made by local planning authorities for applications for major and non-major development, measured by the percentage of applications that have been determined within the statutory period or such extended time as has been agreed between the local planning authority and the applicant

the quality of decisions made by local planning authorities for applications for major and non-major development, measured by the proportion of decisions on applications that are subsequently overturned at appeal (including those arising from a ‘deemed refusal’ where an application has not been determined within the statutory period)

If a local planning authority falls below the performance thresholds set out in the criteria it may be designated for its performance in relation to applications for major development, non-major development, or both.

In this case, section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) allows applications for the category of development for which the authority has been designated (i.e. major development, non-major development or both) to be submitted directly to the Secretary of State (if the applicant wishes) as long as the designation remains in place. This excludes householder and retrospective applications, which must still be made directly to the local planning authority.

The National Planning Policy Framework stresses the importance of having a planning system that is genuinely plan-led. Where a proposal accords with an up-to-date development plan it should be approved without delay, as required by the presumption in favour of sustainable development at paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Where the development plan is absent, silent or the relevant policies are out of date, paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework requires the application to be determined in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development unless otherwise specified.

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What constitutes the development plan?

The statutory development plan is the plan for the future development of an area. It consists of:

Local Plans: development plan documents adopted by local planning authorities, including any ‘saved’ policies from plans that are otherwise no longer current, and those development plan documents that deal specifically with minerals and waste.

What is a material planning consideration?

A material planning consideration is one which is relevant to making the planning decision in question (eg whether to grant or refuse an application for planning permission).

The scope of what can constitute a material consideration is very wide and so the courts often do not indicate what cannot be a material consideration. However, in general they have taken the view that planning is concerned with land use in the public interest, so that the protection of purely private interests such as the impact of a development on the value of a neighbouring property or loss of private rights to light could not be material considerations.

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What weight can be given to a material consideration?

The law makes a clear distinction between the question of whether something is a material consideration and the weight which it is to be given. Whether a particular consideration is material will depend on the circumstances of the case and is ultimately a decision for the courts. Provided it has regard to all material considerations, it is for the decision maker to decide what weight is to be give to the material considerations in each case, and (subject to the test of reasonableness) the courts will not get involved in the question of weight.

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What role does the National Planning Policy Framework have in decision taking?

The National Planning Policy Framework represents up-to-date government planning policy and must be taken into account where it is relevant to a planning application or appeal. If decision takers choose not to follow the National Planning Policy Framework, clear and convincing reasons for doing so are needed. A development that is consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework does not remove the requirement to determine the application in accordance with the development plan unless there are other material considerations that indicate otherwise.

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When should a ‘local finance consideration’ be taken into account as a material planning consideration?

Section 70(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) provides that a local planning authority must have regard to a local finance consideration as far as it is material. Section 70(4) of the 1990 Act (as amended) defines a local finance consideration as a grant or other financial assistance that has been, that will or that could be provided to a relevant authority by a Minister of the Crown Crown (such as New Homes Bonus payments), or sums that a relevant authority has received, or will or could receive, in payment of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Whether or not a ‘local finance consideration’ is material to a particular decision will depend on whether it could help to make the development acceptable in planning terms. It would not be appropriate to make a decision based on the potential for the development to raise money for a local authority or other government body.

In deciding an application for planning permission or appeal where a local financial consideration is material, decision takers need to ensure that the reasons supporting the decision clearly state how the consideration has been taken into account and its connection to the development.

New Homes Bonus payments recognise the efforts made by authorities to bring residential development forward. Even where anticipated Bonus payments are not a material consideration in making planning decisions, they can be noted for information in committee reports on applications for housing. Where this is done, care will be required not to imply that Bonus payments are relevant to the decision before the committee.

What approach must be taken where development plan policies conflict with one another?

Under section 38(5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 if a policy contained in a development plan for an area conflicts with another policy in the development plan, the conflict must be resolved in favour of the policy which is contained in the last document to be adopted, approved or published.

Conflicts between development plan policies adopted, approved or published at the same time must be considered in the light of all material considerations, including local priorities and needs, as guided by the National Planning Policy Framework.

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Can the local planning authority decide not to follow the policies in the development plan?

In what circumstances might it be justifiable to refuse planning permission on the grounds of prematurity?

Annex 1 of the National Planning Policy Framework explains how weight may be given to policies in emerging plans. However in the context of the Framework and in particular the presumption in favour of sustainable development – arguments that an application is premature are unlikely to justify a refusal of planning permission other than where it is clear that the adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, taking the policies in the Framework and any other material considerations into account. Such circumstances are likely, but not exclusively, to be limited to situations where both:

(a) the development proposed is so substantial, or its cumulative effect would be so significant, that to grant permission would undermine the plan-making process by predetermining decisions about the scale, location or phasing of new development that are central to an emerging Local Plan or neighbourhood planning; and

(b) the emerging plan is at an advanced stage but is not yet formally part of the development plan for the area.

Refusal of planning permission on grounds of prematurity will seldom be justified where a draft Local Plan has yet to be submitted for examination, or in the case of a Neighbourhood Plan, before the end of the local planning authority publicity period. Where planning permission is refused on grounds of prematurity, the local planning authority will need to indicate clearly how the grant of permission for the development concerned would prejudice the outcome of the plan-making process.

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Should children’s best interests be taken into account when determining planning applications?

Local authorities need to consider whether children’s best interests are relevant to any planning issue under consideration. In doing so, they will want to ensure their approach is proportionate. They need to consider the case before them, and need to be mindful that the best interests of a particular child will not always outweigh other considerations including those that impact negatively on the environment or the wider community. This will include considering the scope to mitigate any potential harm through non-planning measures, for example through intervention or extra support for the family through social, health and education services.

The exercise of the power to delegate planning functions is generally a matter for individual local planning authorities, having regard to practical considerations including the need for efficient decision-taking and local transparency. It is in the public interest for the local planning authority to have effective delegation arrangements in place to ensure that decisions on planning applications that raise no significant planning issues are made quickly and that resources are appropriately concentrated on the applications of greatest significance to the local area.

Local planning authority delegation arrangements may include conditions or limitations as to the extent of the delegation, or the circumstances in which it may be exercised.

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How must elected councillors and other members of the local authority consider planning applications?

Local authority members are involved in planning matters to represent the interests of the whole community and must maintain an open mind when considering planning applications. Where members take decisions on planning applications they must do so in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Members must only take into account material planning considerations, which can include public views where they relate to relevant planning matters. Local opposition or support for a proposal is not in itself a ground for refusing or granting planning permission, unless it is founded upon valid material planning reasons.

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How is the conduct of elected members regulated?

Under Part 1 of the Localism Act 2011 each local authority is required to adopt a local Code of Conduct that sets out the expectations as to the conduct of members in carrying out their official duties. The local authority must also keep a register of members’ interests.

Can an elected member who has represented constituents interested in a planning application be accused of pre-determination or bias, if he or she subsequently speaks or votes on that application?

Section 25 of the Localism Act 2011 clarifies that a member is not to be regarded as being unable to act fairly or without bias if they participate in a decision on a matter simply because they have previously expressed a view or campaigned on it. Members may campaign and represent their constituents – and then speak and vote on those issues – without fear of breaking the rules on pre-determination. Members may also speak with developers and express positive views about development.

A distinction can be drawn between pre-determination and pre-disposition. Members must not have a closed mind when they make a decision, as decisions taken by those with pre-determined views are vulnerable to successful legal challenge. At the point of making a decision, members must carefully consider all the evidence that is put before them and be prepared to modify or change their initial view in the light of the arguments and evidence presented. Then they must make their final decision at the meeting with an open mind based on all the evidence.

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Who must the local planning authority notify once it has made a decision on a planning application?

The local planning authority may take a flexible approach and make a judgement about whether additional publication of the decision is needed on a case by case basis, weighing up factors such as the level of public interest in the application and the cost of additional notification. It is particularly important that the local planning authority notifies the Environment Agency of any decision taken on a planning application where the Agency has objected on flood risk grounds.

What information must the local planning authority include on their written decision notices of planning applications to applicants?

The information that the local planning authority must provide on their decision notices is set out in article 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015. This includes the requirement, where planning permission is refused, to state clearly and precisely the full reasons for the refusal, specifying all policies and proposals in the development plan that are relevant to the decision. While the local planning authority is no longer required to give reasons for approval on decision notices, it is important that the other paperwork that supports such decisions clearly shows how that decision has been reached.

where the Secretary of State has given a direction restricting the grant of planning permission; and

where the Secretary of State or a government department has expressed the view that permission should not be granted (either wholly or in part) or should be granted subject to conditions.

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What is the decision date that the local planning authority should put on decision notices?

To ensure consistency in the preparation of statistics, the decision date to be inserted on decision notices by the local planning authority is taken as the date when notice of the decision is issued to the applicant. This includes cases where the decision has been taken by an officer or a planning committee.

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When does the local planning authority need to consult with the Secretary of State prior to taking a decision?

The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009 sets out the applicable criteria and arrangements that must be followed for consulting the Secretary of State once the local planning authority has resolved to grant planning permission for certain types of development that are set out in paragraphs 3-8 of the Direction. The purpose of the Direction is to give the Secretary of State an opportunity to consider using the power to call in an application under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The use of the call in power requires that the decision be taken by the Secretary of State rather than the local planning authority.

The information that the local planning authority must submit with the consultation is set out in paragraph 10 of the Direction. Where consultation with the Secretary of State under the Direction is required, the local planning authority cannot grant planning permission on the application until the expiry of a period of 21 days beginning with the date which the Secretary of State notifies the local planning authority that the consultation has been received and he has all the information necessary to consider the matter.

The Direction is separate from, and does not affect or prejudice, the Secretary of State’s general power under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to direct that any particular planning application should be called in for determination by the Secretary of State. In addition to the requirements under the Direction there may also be additional, locally applicable arrangements set out in safeguarding directions.

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When must a local planning authority in London notify the Mayor prior to making a decision?

Local planning authorities in London are required to notify the Mayor if they receive applications of ‘potential strategic importance’ for the capital. This provides the Mayor with an opportunity to consider the proposal’s compliance with the spatial development strategy (the London Plan), and if necessary direct that he should determine the application himself, or that the application should be refused. What constitutes an application of potential strategic importance is set out in the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008, along with the procedural requirements that apply.

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What are the Secretary of State’s powers of intervention to call in a planning application?

Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 empowers the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his own determination. The power can be exercised at any time up to the grant of planning permission by a local planning authority, and is usually used when the local planning authority has resolved to approve an application, but before a decision is issued.

Any third party (i.e. not the applicant or the local planning authority) may request the Secretary of State to intervene and call in an application for his own determination. Applications may also be referred to the Secretary of State by the local planning authority under the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009. In the case of a decision against the advice of the Health and Safety Executive there is guidance on notifying the Executive in advance of a decision being issued. Requests for call in should be sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Planning Casework Unit at the following address:

The call in policy was updated on 26 October 2012 in a written ministerial statement. The use of the call in power is discretionary and the government’s policy is to be very selective about calling in planning applications.

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